Kazakh lifter Rahimov upsets defending champ Lvu to win men's 77kg Olympic gold

Kazakh weightlifter Nijat Rahimov smashed a world record to stun China's defending champion Lyu Xiaojun and grab Olympic gold at the men's 77kg weightlifting in Rio on Wednesday.

The 22-year-old Rahimov broke the clean and jerk world record by four kilograms to edge Lyu into the second place.

Lyu was heavily favored to win the event after he broke the snatch world record with 177kg and was well ahead of Rahimov going into the clean and jerk stage.

However the London 2012 gold medallist failed to lift 197kg on his first attempt. After Lyu succeeded with his third lift of 202kg, Rahimov hoisted 214 kg to beat a 15-year-old record and register a combined total of 379.

Lyu had the same combined total but Rahimov won by virtue of being lighter.

"It is the most amazing feeling. There was a chance Kazakhstan would not be allowed to compete in these Olympic Games," Rahimov said.

Despite a near miss from a second Olympic gold medal, Lyu looked elated.

"I'm happy about the result of 379kg because I seldom succeeded since the national championships in April," said Lyu.

"I'm 32 now. I am also excited to compete in the Olympics at this age, no matter what color of the medal is," he added.

Asked if Rahimov moved in steps during his last lift, Lyu said:"I didn't watch carefully, but I did see him lifting the barbell above his head. I want to give him thumbs up."

According the competition regulation by the International Weightlifting Federation, the referees should give a signal to lower the barbell as soon as the lifter becomes motionless in all parts of the body.

Ibrahim Ramadan Ibrahim Abdelbaki of Egypt, who finished sixth at the 2014 worlds, claimed the bronze at 361kg to become the first male weightlifter from Africa to claim an Olympic medal since 1948.

Abdelbaki's compatriot Sara Ahmed won the bronze medal in the women's 69kg category.

"That inspired me a lot and our coaches wanted me to bring even better than bronze, even a silver, but I did my best and I am happy with bronze," said Abdelbaki.

Earlier on Wednesday, China's Xiang Yanmei shrugged off an unexpected neck injury in the snatch to win gold with a total of 261kg in the women's 69kg category.

Zhazira Zhapparkul of Kazakhstan, the 2015 world championship silver medalist, finished second with a total of 259kg and the bronze went to Sara Ahmed at 255kg. Endit